Tell Your Friends Cafe
400 Bowen Island Trunk Rd, Bowen Island BC V0N 1G0 · Food Service Establishment 1
Inspection summary
Tell Your Friends Cafe has been inspected 11 times by Vancouver Coastal Health since October 31, 2019. The most recent inspection, on June 17, 2026, recorded 1 infraction.
2 of 11 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 3 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Pests and Food temperature control.
The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.
What these findings mean
Health authorities word their violations differently, so we group them by what they mean for food safety. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.
Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk
Anything that touches food, such as cutting boards, dishes and utensils, must be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Inspectors check dishwasher temperatures, sanitizer strength and how wiping cloths are stored. Poor sanitizing lets bacteria survive from one use to the next.
Recorded 5 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on May 9, 2025. For example:
All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
PestsHigher risk
Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.
Recorded 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on May 3, 2023. For example:
Live animals are not permitted on the premises.
Food temperature controlHigher risk
Bacteria multiply fastest between about 4 °C and 60 °C (40 °F to 140 °F). Inspectors check that cold food stays cold, hot food stays hot, cooked food is cooled quickly, and that staff have accurate thermometers. Temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning, so these are treated as critical findings.
Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on May 9, 2025. For example:
Potentially hazardous food is cooled in a manner that makes it safe to eat.
Permits, records and postingLower risk
Operating permits, required signage, written procedures and logs. These findings are administrative: the documentation was missing or out of date at the time of inspection.
Recorded 6 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on June 17, 2026. For example:
Operator of a food service establishment has developed, maintained, and followed approved written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur.
Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk
Floors, walls and ceilings must be smooth and clean, with working lighting, ventilation, plumbing, hot and cold water, and washrooms. These are rarely an immediate food-safety risk on their own, but persistent problems can lead to pest or sanitation issues.
Recorded 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on May 20, 2026. For example:
Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
About this data
These results come from Vancouver Coastal Health, which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.
11 inspections
- Routine Follow-up
1 infraction
- Operator of a food service establishment has developed, maintained, and followed approved written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur.
- Temperature records are not being used to monitor critical limits.
- Food safety plan is not developed.
- Operator of a food service establishment has developed, maintained, and followed approved written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur.
- Routine
2 infractions
- Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
- Inadequate lighting and/or ventilation on the premises.
- Operator of a food service establishment has developed, maintained, and followed approved written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur.
- Temperature records are not being used to monitor critical limits.
- Food safety plan is not developed.
- Operation and maintenance of premises is in accordance with approved floor plans and specifications.
- Routine
3 infractions
- Potentially hazardous food is cooled in a manner that makes it safe to eat.
- Potentially hazardous food is not cooled using appropriate equipment and/or approved methods.
- All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
- Sanitizing solution concentration is too high.
- Operator of a food service establishment has developed, maintained, and followed approved written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur.
- Temperature records are not being used to monitor critical limits.
- Food safety plan is not maintained to reflect the current menu.
- Potentially hazardous food is cooled in a manner that makes it safe to eat.
- Routine
2 infractions
- A Certified food safety training course has been taken by the operator and food handlers of the food service establishment.
- No employee present holds a valid FOODSAFE or equivalent certificate while the Owner/Operator is absent.
- Potentially hazardous food is at a refrigerated temperature that keeps it safe to eat.
- Potentially hazardous food is not stored, displayed or transported at a temperature of 4°C or below.
- A Certified food safety training course has been taken by the operator and food handlers of the food service establishment.
- Routine
2 infractions
- An operator of a food service establishment must develop, maintain, and follow written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur in the operation of the establishment.
- Temperature records are not being used to monitor critical limits.
- Live animals are not permitted on the premises.
- Live animals are on the premises.
- An operator of a food service establishment must develop, maintain, and follow written procedures to ensure that a health hazard does not occur in the operation of the establishment.
- Routine
0 infractions
- Routine Follow-up
0 infractions
- Routine
2 infractions
- All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
- Sanitizing solution is not present or at an improper concentration.
- Mechanical dishwasher/glasswasher does not provide sufficient washing and/or sanitizing action to remove contamination.
- The premises is free of pests.
- Premises has signs of rodent activity.
- All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
- Request
5 infractions
- COVID-19 Safety Plan developed and in use
- COVID-19 Safety Plan contains the maximum number of patron count
- Maximum number of patrons and staff on premises is monitored at all times
- Operator assessed their premises and taken steps to prevent congregation of patrons near or outside their premises
- Physical devices or markers are used to assist patrons in maintaining physical distance
- Routine
3 infractions
- The premises and all equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces are maintained in good condition and used in a manner that ensures safe and sanitary food handling.
- All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
- Sanitizing solution is not present or at an improper concentration.
- The premises is free of pests.
- Routine
1 infraction
- All equipment, food contact surfaces, utensils, dishes & glasses used on the premises are washed and sanitized in a manner that removes contamination.
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